Rogers Media uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes. Learn more or change your cookie preferences. Rogers Media supports the Digital Advertising Alliance principles. By continuing to use our service, you agree to our use of cookies.

We use cookies (why?) You can change cookie preferences. Continued site use signifies consent.

The longtime Canucks coach was fired after the team was swept by the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. In seven seasons with the club, Vigneault became the all-time winningest coach in franchise history.

Earlier on Friday, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos spoke to Mark Messier, who confirmed he interviewed for the Rangers coaching position.

“Yes, of course,” Messier told NHL.com when asked if he had interviewed for the position. “That was one thing I wanted to have happen, to go through the process like everybody else and to experience that, and to give Glen the opportunity to make a decision that he feels comfortable with.”

Messier, despite his popularity in New York after helping the club win the Stanley Cup in 1994, has limited experience behind the bench (stints at the Spengler Cup and Deutschland Cup in 2010) and has never coached at the professional level.

The Hall of Fame forward is said to be one of the game’s all-time great leaders during his NHL career but it remains unclear if the Rangers believe Messier is a legitimate candidate for the position.

Messier has obvious ties to general manager Glen Sather – who was his head coach with the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s.